December 23, 2024

Beldame

Last updated: 10/1/05 6:33 PM


Running back to her 2004 championship form, Starlight Stables et al’s ASHADO
(Saint Ballado) found more in the long Belmont stretch to take the $750,000
Beldame S. (G1) by a half-length on Saturday. The now seven-time Grade 1 winner
covered nine furlongs in 1:48 4/5 over a fast track under John Velazquez,
returning $5.40, $3.60 and $2.50 as the 8-5 favorite.

Content to rate behind Dream of Summer (Siberian Summer) through an opening
quarter in :24 2/5 and :47 3/5 for the half-mile, the Todd Pletcher-conditioned
Ashado stuck her head in front after six furlongs in 1:11 2/5 and never looked
back. The dark bay miss got the mile in 1:35 4/5 and appeared a little leg weary
as sprint sensation Happy Ticket (Anet) made a late run in the stretch, but she
was able to hold off the Louisiana bred by a half-length. Society Selection
(Coronado’s Quest) ran on late and held third.

“She beat everyone you could beat today,” Pletcher said. “I don’t know who
will show up for the next one but from the Midwest to the East Coast, this was
the best group on this side of the Mississippi. This was clearly the marquee
prep of the fall. This was a big win.”

Ashado keyed the $49.20 exacta with Happy Ticket, who paid $9 and $4.30 at
10-1. Society Selection returned $3.10 on the bottom of the $206.50 trifecta
(6-3-7),
and was followed under the line by Sweet Symphony (A.P. Indy), Personal Legend
(Awesome Again), Dream of Summer and Island Sand (Tabasco Cat).

Bred in the Bluegrass State by Aaron and Marie Jones, Ashado brought $170,000
at the 2002 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and is out of the stakes-winning
Goulash (Mari’s Book). She is a full sister to Sunriver, an unraced
two-year-old, and a half-sister to a yearling colt by Storm Creek and a 2005
colt by Unbridled’s Song. With this, her 11th stakes win, Ashado increases her
earnings to $3,711,440 and her overall mark to 20-12-4-2.


The four-year-old filly will defend her title in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff
(G1) on October 29.